In a tragic Tamil Nadu train accident, a passenger train traveling from Mysuru to Darbhanga collided with a stationary goods train at the Kavaraipettai railway station in Tiruvallur district, near Chennai. The incident occurred on Friday evening, leaving at least 19 passengers injured and causing a massive fire in the parcel van of the express train. Additionally, around 12 coaches of the train were derailed due to the collision.
Key Details of the Tamil Nadu Train Accident
The accident took place when the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express entered a loop line instead of continuing on the main line, leading to a collision with the goods train. As a result, two coaches caught fire, and several others derailed. A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team arrived on the scene, raising concerns about the potential causes, although no terrorism links have been confirmed so far.
Railway’s Response and Restoration Work
Southern Railway officials have initiated a high-level investigation to determine the exact cause of the Tamil Nadu train accident. It is suspected that a signal failure may have led the passenger train to divert onto the wrong track. The Railways announced that it will take approximately 16 hours to fully restore train services, with the ongoing restoration work being delayed by rain.
The train services on that route have been temporarily halted, and at least two trains have been cancelled while others have been diverted. Stranded passengers were transferred to a special train early Saturday morning to continue their journey.
Safety Features Minimized Casualties
The Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches used in the train are credited with minimizing casualties in this Tamil Nadu train accident. Despite the severity of the collision, no deaths or severe injuries have been reported, thanks to the empty goods train absorbing the impact of the crash.
Political Reactions and Accountability
This incident has drawn significant political attention. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, criticized the central government, comparing this crash to the tragic Balasore accident, which also involved a passenger train colliding with a stationary goods train. Gandhi questioned the government’s failure to learn from repeated derailments, calling for greater accountability.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed his shock over the accident and assured the public that he was closely monitoring the rescue and restoration work. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visited the injured passengers at the Government Stanley Medical College in Chennai, while Minister Avadi Nasar was leading the rescue efforts at the accident site.
Railways’ Future Preventive Measures
The Tamil Nadu train accident has reignited discussions on the safety and reliability of the Indian Railways network. Experts are calling for better signal systems and enhanced monitoring of railway operations to avoid such mishaps in the future. As investigations continue, Southern Railway General Manager R.N. Singh acknowledged that the train’s unexpected diversion to the loop line was unusual, raising concerns about a possible signal failure.
Conclusion
This Tamil Nadu train accident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of railway safety. While the prompt action of railway staff, rescue teams, and built-in safety features helped minimize casualties, the incident has exposed gaps in the railway’s operational safety that require urgent attention. Restoration efforts are ongoing, and a thorough investigation is expected to shed light on the root causes of this unfortunate accident.